Genuine 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix Oil Pan

1997 Pontiac Grand Prix Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q: How to remove and install the oil pan in 3.4L V6 engine on 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix?

  A: It seems that on vehicles with an automatic transaxle there might be a need to pull out the transaxle to clear space for the oil pan. First, unplug the cable from the negative battery terminal and if you have the remote release for the Theftlock audio system that has a lock out feature then make sure that you switch it off. Lift the front of the vehicle and support it on jack stands engage the parking brake and block rear wheels if necessary. Take out the front wheels, lower splash pan and drip the engine oil to drain and take out the oil filter, oil cooler unit and, oil level sensor. Suck out the coolant and even take out the coolant recovery tank if there is one. Remove the steering gear bolts and suspension the steering gear on wire off the body. Lose the two nuts of the right and left lower ball joint and take the ball joints away from the control arms. Remove the frame in the power steering cooler line clamps and the nuts of the engine mount. If required, remove the flywheel or drive plate lower cover and also remove the starter. Install a floor jack under the frame front center crossmember, then unbolt the rear frame bolts but do not fully unscrew them; pull out the front frame bolts and drop the front part of the frame down. Remove the oil pan from the block by unstudding the bolts and nuts which are fitted around the periphery of this component, further striking the periphery of the oil pan with a soft-faced hammer to break the gasket joints without pulling. For installation, first clean the pan with solvent to remove the old sealant and gasket material of the mating surfaces also there must not be any obstruction in the bolt holes of the block. Ensure that the oil pan flange is distorted with this, you'll need to get it flattened back again. Use a new one on the oil pan when you fasten it whereby you apply RTV sealant on where it comes in contact with the timing chain cover. Place the oil pan onto the block and in fit the nuts/bolts, torque them to the recommended value in a small sequence, XY, XZ, YZ etc. The remaining steps are in the reverse order of removal of the layers as described by Watzlawick et al. Last but not the least; add engine oil again, start the engine and rev it to normalcy and check if any fluids are dripping out.